I'm torn...

[Kiryon]

So, been looking at the for sale birdies and kept skipping over one add since there was no pic but then I read the description and the bird sounded great so I asked for a pic and I got one.

She's seriously gorgeous... I've asked for more info on her diet/behavior and all and I'm waiting for a reply.

One little hic, she's a girl. Thing is I've been considering a second tiel so it could keep Oz company while I'm gone. Is it possible for them to bond without ending up mating? I'm willing to get a second cage of course but I was hoping they could stay together in the same one. I was thinking of keeping her in Oz's old cage for quarantine then slowly introducing them to each other and then moving her in his cage if they seem to get along.

Also, if they do work out in the same cage, is it possible for Oz to become 'wild'? Could he refuse to be handled if he has a birdy friend?

 

[lisascannell]

I think if they end up truly bonding, chances are high that they will try and mate at some stage!
There is a difference between bonding and getting along. I have 5 tiels in one cage, and they all get along, but only two of them are bonded.
Rocky was my first bird and I was afraid he would lose his bond to me when I introduced more birds, but his bond is as strong as ever to me, and he is quite aloof with the other birds.

 

[jenphilly]

They don't have to be overly bonded to mate... We have 2 males and 2 females (boy cage, girl cage). The original male is the father of the two girls. He has tried to mate with the girls even tho they spend very little time together.... yeah, talk about weird and icky... we call him a dirty old man and pervert... I know, not like he knows they are his own children!

If they are in the same cage, chances are they will mate.... I would have separate cages permanently and be very careful during hormone season when they are out and about together.